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 #1750643


Pbcrazy187
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 Desert tortise

Hello every one my name is matt. i live in nevada and im 17. recently i have been getting into taking my reptiles to schools and other public locations to teach people about them. the one reptile i am missing is a tortise. now my mom really wants a desert tortise and i figured that would probably be a good addition concidering where i live. so my question is does anyone know of a web site that i can go to that will tell me where i can get one.

thanks
Matt D



05/29/08  11:11pm

 #1750784


RepticTay
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  Message To: Pbcrazy187   In reference to Message Id: 1750643


 Desert tortise

Hi, they need warm whether, and a large accomodation. With them reaching relatively large size.

chelonia.org is very good for reading there care.

As for purchasing i would not have clue sorry.
however you could try kingsnake.com



05/30/08  06:20am

 #1750956


Reptilefreak23
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  Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1750784


 Desert tortise

desert tortoises live in the wild .. are endangered and illegal to sell. or take out of state caught in.

You could get a leopard tortoise ... bigger .. but amazingly colorful and friendly.

care for leopard...

1. need water bowl
2. you already have the 10.0 reptisun
3. Bedabeast or 50/50 pot soil play sand mix
4. diet

- 70 percent grasses and weeds....
(Orchard grass or hay:Timothy or Bermuda grass or hay:
Leafy greens : (dandelions, clover, endive, grape leaves, mulberry leaves, weeds etc.)
Cactus pads ,not alfalfa... to much protien).... High fiber low protien diet


- African Spurred tortoise cannot tolerate wet conditions. If sand is used in the substrate this area should also not have food placed directly upon it as the sand can build up in the tortoises GI tract leading to possible impaction and even death. A completely separate sand-free area in the habitat should be utilized to feed.

- Romain lettuce green leaf and red leaf lettuce may be given as a treat (accasionally)

- Things to avoid

.All fruit (although fruit is often recommended, its sugar content can lead
to parasite blooms....just not worth it) the exception is apples due to the high quantity of pectin....but still not frequently.
Iceberg lettuce
Bok Choy
All grains (including bread, pasta etc)
Dog and cat food
Meat

Pellet type foods (An often overlooked factor of pyramiding is grain based diets. These are the pellet food that some claim to be essential to health. They typically contain soy, wheat and or rice. These are high in omega 6 fatty acids which has a negative effect on health. They also have an acidifying effect which causes a leaching of bone. They are high in phytate which binds calcium and other minerals. They also have an unfavorable ca/ph ratio and a low ca/mg ratio which has a negative impact on calcium metabolism. Grains alter Vit D metabolism. Diets high in grains can have a negative impact on bone growth in spite of adequate exposure to sunshine.

- The water dish in the habitat should be large enough to allow the tortoise to soak in if it wishes, it must also be shallow enough to allow easy exit to protect from drowning. For larger tortoises photographic developing trays work well for this purpose.


- sulcata fed on cat or dog foods frequently die from renal failure or from impacted bladder stones of solidified urates. Avoid over reliance upon ’supermarket’ greens and fruits, which typically contain inadequate fiber levels, excessive pesticide residues and are too rich in sugar and should be avoided. African Spurred tortoises are a grazing species; every effort should be made to duplicate this diet in captivity. Fruit should be offered very rarely or not at all as the Spurred Tortoise’s digestive system is not equipped to handle high sugar content foods.


- Dust food in Repcal calcium d3 supplement on tortoises food 3 times a week


- Medical Issues:

While in general, individuals of this species are extremely healthy, there is a wide array of medical conditions that can arise.

First and foremost, proper husbandry is a must with the species. Moderate to severe shell pyramiding from an improper diet is seen in a large majority of juvenile sulcata. While it may not "feel" right to feed items such as grass hays and weeds, this is what thousands of years of evolution have designed the gastrointestinal tracts of these animals to do. A second dietary problem that is often seen is diarrhea. With bulky, high fiber, low "quality" feeds, solid GI health can be maintained and healthy, bulky stools formed. Easily digestible foods can lead to diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, and even intestinal prolapse .



- He will outgrow your 20 gal remarkably fast so get ready.

- outdour grazing is required and a outdoor cage as well
(4 hours of natural sunlight is worth about 7-9 hours on your 10.o)


- OUTDOOR HOUSING - Predator proof outdoor habitats offer many advantages over indoor accommodations and should seriously be considered as an option during warm weather. In particular because of their large size and grazing habits African Spurred tortoises should be kept out of doors when the climate allows if at all possible.

- Also indoor housing needs to have a warmer side and a cooler side (cooler at 70-75 degrease and warmer at around or above 80 degrease....... also need to have dark hiding spot on cool side)


Hope this helps! Have Fun with your baby!


Ps. ( on warm side... make sure there is nothing that it can flip over on. If it does she will bake and have SEVERE burns if under basking lamp)


Good Luck!



05/30/08  12:09pm

 #1750957


Reptilefreak23
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  Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1750784


 Desert tortise

sry .. replace every ..’sulcata’ or ’ Spured tortoise’ with leopard... sry.. I got confused sulcatas have the same care as the leopard.



05/30/08  12:11pm

 #1750985


Reptilefreak23
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  Message To: Reptilefreak23   In reference to Message Id: 1750957


 Desert tortise

also its best to build it a tortoise table



05/30/08  12:48pm

 #1751008


RepticTay
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  Message To: Reptilefreak23   In reference to Message Id: 1750956


 Desert tortise

Actually depending what state, i think desert tortoises are legalized as pets, but you need a permit to purchase one. Some places let you adopt them from rescues too.



05/30/08  01:04pm

 #1751075


Mikeornata
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  Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1751008


 Desert tortoise

I would forget the Desert tortoise. I think they are indigenous to Nevada, therefore Illegal to keep either way. I would go with,depending on your budget and experience a Russian,greek, or Sulcata.

I dont think you will ever find a desert on kingsnake.

Good Luck
Mike D.



05/30/08  02:21pm

 #1751111


Reptilefreak23
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  Message To: Mikeornata   In reference to Message Id: 1751075


 Desert tortoise

Yeah, they are illegal to take out of state. And TOTALLY illgeal to take them out of the desert.
Even though there are some people working on breeding the species in captivity. and trying to get the population up.
and People like The ASPCA usually return them to the desert.

We are starting to have the same problem with the texas tortoise down here.



05/30/08  02:48pm

 #1751165


RepticTay
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  Message To: Mikeornata   In reference to Message Id: 1751075


 Desert tortoise

from the website - http://www.tortoisegroup.org/faq.html

Am I permitted to give my tortoise to someone in Nevada who is willing to prepare for it?

It is legal to give your tortoise to another Nevada resident. See that they read our pamphlet Desert Tortoises, Adoption and Care. It is also available at all veterinary clinics in the Las Vegas area or Pahrump or public libraries in Clark County or Pahrump. If you do not have time to make sure their yard is ready before you give them your tortoise, a member of our Adoption Committee will make a free visit to that yard and provide information to help that person prepare their yard before accepting the tortoise from you. Nevada tortoises must stay in Nevada. If someone in another state wants your tortoise, ask them to contact one of the organizations in that state that handles adoptions of tortoises living in that state. We can help you make the connection. Call 702-739-8043. Tortoises are not to be taken across state lines.

How does someone adopt a tortoise? See Adoption

If the desert tortoise is on the federal list of threatened and endangered species, how is it that they are available for adoption? When the Mojave Desert population of the desert tortoise was listed in August 1989, the wild tortoise received protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (amended). Those tortoises legally held in captivity prior to the listing date were considered pre-Act tortoises, not protected under the Act. However, tortoises hatched in captivity after the listing date, are protected under the Act. They may be maintained in captivity without a Federal endangered species permit provided they are given proper care and not subjected to harmful conditions(such as being kept indoors and fed a deficient diet). Pre-Act tortoises and those hatched in captivity after the listing may be adopted without special permit or registration.

I am moving out of Nevada. May I take my tortoise?

No, the tortoise must remain in Nevada. It is in the tortoise’s best interest to live in a desert climate and according to law, desert tortoises are not to be taken across state lines without authorization from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, 702) 486-5127, and the corresponding agency in the state where the tortoise is going. For their own sakes, tortoises should remain in a desert environment.

I am moving to northern Nevada may I take my tortoise?

Yes, this is legal but you should contact the RENO TUR-TOISE CLUB (775) 972-8532 for information on the special care needed for tortoises kept in northern Nevada--outside the natural range of tortoises.


after reading this, i am guessing theyre legal in Nevada?? it mentions people owning a desert tortoise in Nevada, removing the tortoise in and out of nevada is highly illegal, or you need authrization.

I may be misunderstanding this, but by the looks theyre legal in Nevada.



05/30/08  03:47pm

 #1751187


Reptilefreak23
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  Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1751165


 Desert tortoise

thats what I said.. you cant take them out of state...
they are legal to some extent. It s not legal in Nevada however to Take them DIRECTLY out of the desert.
their species has dropped 90% since 1980. do to poaching and other problems



05/30/08  04:04pm

 #1751286


RepticTay
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  Message To: Reptilefreak23   In reference to Message Id: 1751187


 Desert tortoise

well naturally taking out of the desert is illegal.

Sorry for any misunderstanding.



05/30/08  05:36pm

 #1751308


Pbcrazy187
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  Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1751286


 Desert tortoise

oh thank you. i knew they where legal to ownin nevada i just wasnt sure where i could get. thanks for all the help



05/30/08  06:01pm

 #1751992


RepticTay
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  Message To: Pbcrazy187   In reference to Message Id: 1751308


 Desert tortoise

I think you have some Adoption Rescue Centers around Nevada, you could try adopting one?



05/31/08  12:07pm

 #1753740


TurtleBites
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  Message To: RepticTay   In reference to Message Id: 1751992


 Desert tortoise

yeah you cant buy them. i live in nv and all the ones we ever had came from adoption/ rescue places. i think you need a permit to have them now.



06/06/08  06:17pm


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